A Visit to Hell

a fire not blown shall consume him (Job 20.26)

This thought may never have crossed your mind but it crossed mine this morning, “What is a day in Hell like?” I was reading in Job 20 and came across Zophar’s words in verses 12 to the end of the chapter. They are chilling. Though I imagine that chilling might be a poor choice of words when speaking of Hell. Think of the searing sting in the heart of one who awakes to find himself in this hopeless place?

9/11 brought back memories of hellish scenes from down town Manhattan. As people scrambled from the first and second towers they couldn’t believe their eyes. One man said, “I stood there looking at half a torso, an arm and other body parts and couldn't understand what had happened!” It was a horrific day that we won’t forget.
What if you woke up to such a day? What would it be like? It maybe Zophar who gives us some interesting and horrifying insight into what a day in Hell might be like.
Let’s look into this horrid visit to Hell. Zophar says of the wicked man,

12  Though wickedness be sweet in his mouth, though he hide it under his tongue; 13  Though he spare it, and forsake it not; but keep it still within his mouth: 14  Yet his meat in his bowels is turned, it is the gall of asps within him. 15  He hath swallowed down riches, and he shall vomit them up again: God shall cast them out of his belly. 16  He shall suck the poison of asps: the viper's tongue shall slay him.

This ancient man describes how the wicked savor their wickedness and how that wickedness will turn on them like an angry snake. What affect does snake venom have on a person and why did Zophar use this illustration? Note this from wikipedia: There are four distinct types of venom that act on the body differently.

• Proteolytic venom dismantles the molecular structure of the area surrounding and including the bite.
• Hemotoxic venoms act on the heart and cardiovascular system.
• Neurotoxic venom acts on the nervous system and brain.
• Cytotoxic venom has a localized action at the site of the bite.

A day in Hell might be affected a bit (pun intended) by an unattended snake bite. Imagine open fang wounds with no medical help. Or how about a thousand unattended wounds with all of their side effects.

Instead of enjoying the sweet taste of his evil deeds God causes the Hell dweller vomiting fits and a slimy snake Slurpee for dessert. It is a treat that causes instant death!

But... wait! He’s already dead! There is NO awaking from this nightmare. The lost one’s lot has become an eternal dying, eternal terror, eternal pain.

Our bodies have many needs and desires. These cravings are God given reactions to help us enjoy the life He gives. We desire: food, rest, sex, challenges, security and friendships. We savor good flavors, rewarding accomplishments and sunsets. We enjoy the challenge of sports, the smell of rain and the soothing affect of a forest. Rest refreshes and work invigorates.

In Hell these desires will still be active but there will be no satisfaction. Not one friend, never a beautiful sunrise nor a whiff of rain. No delicious meals or warm embraces. No one to comfort or encourage. There will be no quick-fixes, no happy endings nor desire assuaged.

Jesus told how the rich man in Hell asked Abraham to send Lazarus with a single drop of water to cool his tongue. Do you remember that story? Have you ever tried to carry a single drop of water on your finger? Why did that man ask for a finger drop of water? Because in Hell that drop would have represented Niagara Falls. There is not even a finger drop of water allowed in Hell.

My friend, consider Zophar’s words. He may have not been thinking of Hell when he uttered his dismal tome. But if you are wondering about your future you would do well to ponder Hell. Turn from being a prospective Hell-dweller to being a Heaven dweller. Cry to the Savior. He will cause springs of living water to flow into your withered existence (see John 7.38).

I think that a regular visit to Hell might be good for us. I know how spiritually sluggish that I get. A sulfurous stench now and then might refresh my soul winning appetite.